The band started in May 1994 when vocalist John Grant and bassist Chris Pearson had a chance meeting at Rock Island, a club in Denver’s lower downtown warehouse district. It took over a year to pull a complete band together and play their first show. The early years were slow, but recording began with local music icon Bob Ferbrache in 1995, who produced the first two albums. Contrary to press releases, the band actually self-released two albums, “Moodswing” and “La Brea Tar Pits of Routine” on their own label, Velveteen Records in 1995 and 1997, the later was sent to Cocteau Twins' Bella Union in London. Bella Union thought there was some promise and a follow-up five-song demo was quickly recorded and sent to Cocteau’s Simon Raymonde. He offered the band a four album deal soon after. The Czars would be the first American band to sign with London's Bella Union. A string of local opening gigs followed with opening slots for Low, the Dirty Three, and Ween
Recording on “Before...But Longer” was initiated at London’s September Sound studio in September ’98, and Raymonde finished production on the album in December.
By the end of ‘99 The Czars were named Best Rock Band by Westword (a local Denver music magazine). The following year the band was approached to compose the soundtrack for an independent film, “I’d Rather Be … Gone" again through the connections of Bella Union. Although it never saw the light of day outside of the Gay and Lesbian film festival in San Francisco, the soundtrack mini EP was released by Toronto's Absalom Recordings that November. Self-produced by the band in Denver with Colin Bricker at NFA studios this remains a collector's item.
Even though, the band didnt sell many records, the label stuck with them, and next up was the second album “The Ugly People vs. The Beautiful People.” Recorded in Denver over a month in early 2001, when Simon Raymonde took more time away from his family and label back home in London and produced it out of his love for the band. It was released in October with cover art featuring asses and tattoos. After 23 takes at “Black and Blue” the band nearly killed each other, but the recording was finished and accolades poured in, winning the 2002 album of the year in Westword and receiving critical praise from Mojo, Q, and NME. The band signed to Manifesto Records for a one-record deal for the United States.
The Czars toured Europe opening for David Gray, 16 Horsepower, and The Flaming Lips. Three small US tours followed. The band recorded and self-produced the tour EP “X Would Rather Listen to Y Than Suffer Through a C of Z’s”, a reference to John’s linguistics book on Russian sentence structure.
Despite all the touring, the band were not making any kind of critical breakthrough, despite Bella Union's best efforts in bringing the band over to Europe several times and releasing several singles. The band recorded "Goodbye” with money donated by fans. Work was completed in June 2004, and “Goodbye” was released to much acclaim last September. Picked as the 38th on the Top 50 albums of the year by Mojo, it beat out such luminaries as The Shins, Morrissey, and Bjork. Still the breakthrough wasn't on the horizon and whilst fellow labelmates like Explosions in The Sky and Midlake were also selling records as well as picking up plaudits, The Czars remained an enigma. The band were rarely happy in each other's company and recording and touring always seemed traumatic. Perhaps the audience picked up on this in someway.
In 2004, the core of the band would dissolve away over the course of the ultimately prophetic last album entitled “Goodbye”. Over the span of nine months would see the departure of five out of six members, including original founding members Jeff and Chris, plus long-time guitarists Andy and Roger, as well as violinist Elin Palmer.
Concentrate
The Czars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I forgot I went away instead
I hope I'm not disturbing you
But I forgot I'm hurting you
I hope I'm not who you need
I hope you're not talkin' 'bout yesterday'Cause I can't live, I can't live that way
It's all gone now
And you don't know the truth
So you must go now and find the door
I hope I'm not disturbing you
The lyrics to The Czars' song Concentrate convey a sense of regret, pain, and hopelessness. The opening lines suggest that the singer is in need of hope and assistance from someone else, however, they have forgotten themselves and have gone away instead. This could be interpreted as the singer isolating themselves or succumbing to their own inner demons. They go on to say that they hope they are not disturbing the person they are addressing, but then immediately contradict themselves and acknowledge that they are hurting the other person. The singer expresses a desire for the other person to find someone else they need, perhaps out of a sense of guilt or understanding that they cannot provide what the other person requires.
The chorus talks about the past being something that the singer cannot live with. It is ambiguous as to what specifically happened, but whatever it was, it has caused things between the singer and the other person to fall apart. The final lines of the song indicate that the singer believes the other person must leave and find a way out, as though the singer has accepted that they cannot change what has happened or undo the damage that has been done. Overall, the song paints a picture of despair and resignation, with a sense that the singer has caused or contributed to their own suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a lot of hope from you
I am seeking positivity and support from you
But I forgot I went away instead
Unfortunately, I left and abandoned this hope
I hope I'm not disturbing you
I am worried I might be causing you discomfort
But I forgot I'm hurting you
Sadly, my actions are negatively impacting you
I hope I'm not who you need
Perhaps I am not the right person for you
I hope you're not talkin' 'bout yesterday
I hope you are not dwelling on the past
'Cause I can't live, I can't live that way
Living in the past is not a sustainable way of existence for me
It's all gone now
What has happened is now in the past and cannot be reversed
And you don't know the truth
You are not fully aware of the reality of the situation
So you must go now and find the door
It is time for you to move on and find a new path
I hope I'm not disturbing you
Once again, I apologize if my words or actions are causing you any discomfort
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN GRANT, JEFF LINSENMAIER, ANDREW MONLEY, CHRISTOPHER PEARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ysjo83
대부분 10여년 된 댓글들 뿐이지만 이 음악을 함께 느끼는 사람들이 있다는 것이 좋네요. 감사합니다.
@zlatantanzoz348
🎶🤍
@celticsoulboy
Lovely song...and a great, atmospheric video... I love the use of background sounds... it gives the whole thing an otherworldly quality.... perfect visuals for John Grant's poignant, out there, gorgeous vocal...
@cazzimma
This song reminds me so many things... Love the Czars!
@mattxkim
wow. I can't believe its really simon raymonde's post. Past is behind us. I hope you continue to create magic with the czars. I'd love to see them in person soon
@moonj08
awesome.. thanx for the upload
@Lovewins418
이 뮤직비디오가 안 잊혀집니다…
@Hirsute63
These guys got their original backing from Simon Raymonde, ex-Cocteau Twins. Saw em live in Amsterdam 2003ish. Very good live
@GraemePDCC
great band
@jimbojam65
Since the Beatles can't ever get back together, let's try and get these guys back in the studio....